Management of advanced tracheal collapse in dogs using intraluminal self-expanding biliary wallstents

Twenty-four client-owned dogs with tracheal collapse refractory to conventional treatment underwent management with an intraluminal self-expanding stainless-steel endoprosthesis (Wallstent). Initial improvement of clinical signs was observed in 95.8% of the dogs. Two dogs (8.3%) died within a median interval of 6 days after stent implantation due to incorrect placement and size of the stent and emphysema, respectively. A dry cough occurred temporarily in most of the patients. One dog each (4.1%) suffered mild transient tracheal hemorrhage and pneumomediastinum. The results showed that the initial survival rate of intraluminal stabilization was comparable with surgical implantation of extratracheal prostheses. Clinical reevaluation was performed in 18 dogs within a median interval of 68 days after treatment. Of the dogs treated, 30.4% were reported to be asymptomatic after stent implantation, 60.9% improved markedly, and 4.3% remained symptomatic. In all patients undergoing endoscopy, the Wallstents were almost completely covered with tracheal epithelium. A median shortening of 27.3% of the endoprosthesis within a median interval of 175 days after stent implantation in 15 of 18 dogs was noted. The shortening was associated with clinical signs in 2 patients. In 5 dogs, steroid-responsive granuloma formation resulted in a severe reduction of the tracheal lumen in 3 patients. The results suggest that implantation of Wallstents was minimally invasive and provided stabilization of collapsed thoracic tracheal portions in addition to the cervical part of the trachea. This minimally invasive method for the management of severe tracheal collapse therefore provides an attractive alternative to surgery.